what would you do?

[evangelizer]

I feel very discouraged and dont know what to do about these things. If you have any ideas please tell me . thanks in advance. I am at the point of a nervous breakdown becasue of all the stress. I just cant take anymore presure. About a year and a half ago I was at a church where I was happy, I had just started a childrens church and was in the choir, then they fired the pastor and the church split. I was devastated to say the least, so I was gonna quit church all together, so instead started attending a pentecostal church three blocks from my apt. I have been there over a year now. then I started bringing my mom she is 81 years old, it was several months before I got into anything like childrens church and choir. I am a disabled person, with a disabled license plate, one time I took a disabled spot when my mom started attending and they made a big deal about it and made began talking about me at the wed nite prayer group. Then the pastor I guess did something to fix it. so I let him have the that spot and I took the other one and backed into it so mom could have easy access to the elevator. last week the former pastor who still attends took the spot making it impossible for us to go since we could not take the elevator. when I called the pastor he refuses to return my call. the church has clicks and they have a very large family, I do not want to quit another church. , I am not sure if it is any longer safe to teach their kids, it looks to us like they want to get rid of us since we are disablled and see us as a burden, should we let them decide if we should continue to go there to church, or not? we started going to a salvation army church the past two weeks and it very different from any church I have ever been in. yet they even said they are gonna start a valet serviece so we can get in and out easily. I love to teach the kids, I dont know what to do. what would you do?

 

[solo66 man]

I do not know all the particulars, but if you had offended them somehow , it may all be just a misunderstanding. In my experience, that is usually the case. They should have told you and forgiven you.

Before I did anything, though I would pray about it at least three times and if nothing changes, grab hold of the pastor at his office or after a service and get things set straight. He may not even be aware there is a problem, but is very busy. You must have a friend or two at church. Maybe they have insight into the problem, also.

If it is a problem that is insurrmountable, for the sake of all, pray and ask God where else He would have you attend. The Salvation Army church may well be whre God wants you.

Whatever you do, do not stress over this situation. It is all in God's hands. He will take care of you.

God bless you and guide you.

 

[OldBadfish]

evangelizer,
I would just pray and God will guide you where you belong, maybe God needs you at the Salvation Army Church.

From what I have heard so far I would NOT go back to that church! But maybe solo66 is right and the pastor is not aware of your situation. But if he is aware I think it's safe to say to get the heck outta there!

 

[Kristen]

Give me that pastors number!!!

Really, I'm with Solo and badfish. Good Luck to you!

 

[Mandy]

I agree too. It sounds like the salvation Army church may be the place where you will feel at home.
As for the other church, sounds like Jesus isn't very welcomed there either.

God will lead you where you can be fed spiritually.

God bless you!

 

[evangelizer]

Thanks to each of you for your replies and prayers and especially your help and ideas. Thanks to solo66man, badfish, kristen and mandy. I believe the pastor does know exactly what is happening but I could be wrong. I hate to leave the kids as well, but at least at the salvation army church after only the first week they told us they are gonna start valet parking for disabled, that is nice, In order to be a member there you must wear a uniform or just be an adherent. That is cool with me though shough I decide that is what god wants me to do later on. but I am still quite upset, becasue I was so used to going to church at the other place. I am gonna pray again and see what god says about it. thanks again all of you for your help and quick replies. It means alot to me, I feel this is the only fellowship I have right now. I am not sure where I belong. blessings to you all.

 

[OldBadfish]

Well your certainly welcome here! It may not be church but it is good fellowship.

 

[solo66 man]

Amen, badfish.

Evangelizer, come on in anytime. Any friend of Jesus is a friend of mine.
Maybe if we want to have church, we could of a sort. I guess.
What do you think?
God bless you.

 

[OldBadfish]

Solo66, that is a good idea, I don't have a church right now, truthfully I haven't been to church for over a year, I plan to, I just don't know where.

 

[Martin]

Kristen - you make me laugh, you cut me up..... Well done!

Evangelizer,
On the basis of what you have said, I have to say that I don't see a lot of love in that church. If you had done something to upset them, then I would say that I don't see a lot of forgiveness either.....

I would refer you to Galations 5:22 "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulnss, gentleness and self-control". Again, it doesn't seem that the fruit of the Spirit is being displayed, and I would have to question their position in the Body of Christ.

Jesus himself spoke a lot about fruit and that you can distinguish a good tree from a bad tree by the fruit it produces. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. To me the test is - what kind of fruit is being produced here?

On the basis of what you have said - I'd look for a tree producing good fruit. The start point would be to ask what kind of fruit you should be seeking and where you can find it. Time to move on, I think!

 

[evangelizer]

Thanks everyone, that is so kind of you all to welcome me here, I think that is a great idea, church here, I will consider this my place for fellowship. Gods blessings to all of you.

 

[OldBadfish]

Great! maybe we can host it in the chat room or something. If MOG or Mandy is interested in this, they know a lot about the bible and would be able to make some good sermons.

 

[Martin]

Evangelizer

I'm slightly concerned by your comment "I will consider this my place for fellowship". This is a great place and the people here are really great, but there is no substitute for rubbing shoulders with people physically by sight and sound (if you understand what I am saying, and not trying to upset anyone).

I can appreciate that you are probably feeling very hurt at the moment, and that the biggest problem with church fellowship is the people, but I believe that God wants you in contact with your brothers and sisters. You can't really hold a conversation via ythe internet and, believe me, words can be misunderstood.

For example, how do you think I feel if I say "What a way to start the year"?
It could be that I am really excited or really depressed about the start of the year, but that's not really communicated in the words only by the intonation of my voice.

Please stay here, enjoy the people and share your life with us, but I earnestly encourage you to overcome any negative feeling you have towards others and people in general, your own circumstances and do what you can honestly before God to get into another church fellowship......

OK enough already, I hear someone say.....

Much love....

 

[solo66 man]

Martin is right. There really is nothing like face to face or at least over the telephone fellowship. It is nearly impossible to build a true bonding over the internet We all need someone who is more or less on our same level to relate to and who can help us stay the course in our daily lives. Plus we need someone we can call late at night when no one else will understand our struggles and
we have been praying but need someone to encourage us or admonish us. Someone who really knows us in our daily lives.

 

[Mandy]

I agree too, there can be no substitute for fellowship in person, but I think it would be a great idea to do like online Bible studies!
I though am female and I think that disqualifies me. But we could do men's Bible studies and women's studies and a mixed study.
While no substitue, it sure would be a good supplement. I think that would be neat, good idea Badfish!

 

[evangelizer]

thanks for your encouragement all of you, bless your heart. I reall appreciate it alot.

 

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Mandy
I agree too, there can be no substitute for fellowship in person, but I think it would be a great idea to do like online Bible studies!
I though am female and I think that disqualifies me. But we could do men's Bible studies and women's studies and a mixed study.
While no substitue, it sure would be a good supplement. I think that would be neat, good idea Badfish!

You would not be disqualified because you are female Mandy.
Ever hear of Kay Arthur and Precept Ministries? She is a great bible teacher. People take the biblical teaching about women not being able to be pastors too far and try and exclude them from being a "teacher" too.

God Bless

 

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Martin
Evangelizer

I'm slightly concerned by your comment "I will consider this my place for fellowship". This is a great place and the people here are really great, but there is no substitute for rubbing shoulders with people physically by sight and sound (if you understand what I am saying, and not trying to upset anyone).

I can appreciate that you are probably feeling very hurt at the moment, and that the biggest problem with church fellowship is the people, but I believe that God wants you in contact with your brothers and sisters. You can't really hold a conversation via ythe internet and, believe me, words can be misunderstood.

Martin is right. Fellowship with other believers is Christ's plan for the church. Remember this allegory: logs burn brightly together, but as soon as a log falls off to the side the embers quickly burn out. You need to be around others of like mind my friend.
Think about it!

God Bless

 

[evangelizer]

I am a female too. anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for everything, it is a good idea to to have a bible study online, that would be great and fun too. You are right tho I do need fellowship with other believers in person, perhaps this would be like a supplement to the church. thanks again everyone, god bless all of you for caring, i really do appreciate it, it makes me feel better to know someone cares and that they are belivers, makes it easier to face problems when you have someone who cares somewhere, god bless

 

[OldBadfish]

evangelizer, Hi again

Can I ask what happened to your plans to attend the 'Salvation Army' Church? It really sounded like this could be a great place for you to attend church.

I think this great forum IS a good place for fellowship and we are always here for you. But fellowship in a church with others is highly recommended.

Whats going on at the Salvation Army Church? Have you been there lately?

Let us know.


Mandy: You may be right, but I'm sure you could be a huge contributor as your bible knowledge is pretty extensive!

Everyone: Over in the Bible studies forum Kristen is working on a plan for an online bible study. Kristen please let us know!